Jamal Musiala (foto: Getty Images)
Bayern Munich face worrying questions over Jamal Musiala after the German international reportedly lost consciousness for the second time in only three days.
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Bayern Munich may have beaten Heidenheim 4-2, but the result was overshadowed by another alarming incident involving Jamal Musiala.
The 23-year-old German international reportedly lost consciousness during the match, only three days after suffering a similar episode against RB Leipzig.
This time, Musiala had barely been on the pitch for six minutes.
He entered the game in the 61st minute as a replacement for Ismael Saibari, but his appearance ended almost immediately after he began feeling unwell and fainted.
Second incident in only three days
The situation is particularly concerning because this was not an isolated episode.
Musiala had also lost consciousness during Bayern's match against Leipzig on Saturday. Saibari was among those who immediately came to his assistance on that occasion.
Only three days later, Bayern witnessed another worrying scene involving one of their most important players.
The quick recurrence means further medical examinations are now expected to establish what caused the episodes.
While demanding physical conditions can affect players during summer matches, two incidents in such a short period inevitably raise questions that Bayern's medical staff will want answered before Musiala returns to competitive action.
17-year-old Kiala replaces Musiala
After Musiala was unable to continue, Bayern turned to highly rated 17-year-old Cassiano Kiala.
The youngster was unexpectedly handed another opportunity, but attention understandably remained focused on Musiala's condition.
It represents another setback for a player who already endured a difficult previous campaign because of injuries.
When fit, Musiala is one of the central figures in Vincent Kompany's team and one of the most valuable players in German football.
His importance means Bayern will have little reason to take any risks until the cause of the two incidents is better understood.
Bayern have Borussia Dortmund next
On the pitch, Bayern completed a 4-2 victory over Heidenheim and now turn their attention towards one of the biggest fixtures in German football.
The champions face Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup on Saturday.
After that comes the beginning of the new Bundesliga campaign, with Bayern hosting Stuttgart, followed by a DFB Cup meeting with Osnabrück.
Whether Musiala will be involved in any of those matches is now secondary.
After losing consciousness twice in three days, the priority for Bayern will be establishing exactly what happened to their star midfielder and ensuring he is ready before he returns to the pitch.